Drake Magazine Fall 2015 by Drake Mag

Dogtownâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s locally owned coffee shop for the past 10 years

6 BOXED SHOPPING Streamline the shopping experience. 7 MASTERCLASS Pro-tips from celebrity-taught online classes. 7 BIT OF LIT Three under-the-radar books 20-somethings should read. 8 WHAT THE FRACK? Digging into the process of fracking. 9 HANDLEBARS Midwest bars cater to cyclists. 10 MIDWEST MADE Skilled locals add a handmade touch to their crafts.

12 LATE-NIGHT BITES Chefs recommend best spots for after-dark dining. 13 MARYS GONE WILD Not your average bloody marys. 19 MIDWEST RAMEN The Heartland takes on a collegiate classic. 19 INSTA GUILT New technology reveals calories in food photos.

20 SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING BLUE Classic denim gets a modern twist. 28 CLEAN CUT Top beauty products just for men. 30 GET (TEMPORARILY) INKED Inkbox tattoos are just shy of permanent. 30 LINGERIE TRANSFORMED First-of-its-kind transgender lingerie store fosters equality.

31 FASHION EN ROUTE Traveling shops offer a new retail experience. 31 NATURAL SUPPLEMENTS Diet change? Find out what your body really needs. 32 THE SEEDY TRUTH Look inside the surprising benefits of avocado pits.

52 RETURNING TO A GALAXY FAR, FAR AWAY Catch up with the “Star Wars” crew before the next chapter. 53 THE GREAT ESCAPE Real-life puzzle rooms make their way to the Midwest. 53 NEXT-LEVEL COMPETITIONS High stakes fill arenas with competitive video-gaming.

32 PRETTY HEALTHY Stay on track, and look good doing it.

54 HIPPO CAMPUS Minnesota boy band quits college to pursue alternative dreams.

33 LUBE No embarrassment here.

56 HARMONY IN FLIGHT Folk group The Stray Birds takes off.

33 INSIDE THE LINES Coloring books make a comeback.

57 INSPIRED BY THE MOWGLI’S Free-spirited band sends positive vibes.

34 SENSELESS Floatation therapy offers meditative benefits.

58 BEATS AND BREWS Cheers to a new Midwest collaboration.

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BITS + PIECES

QUICK QUIPS AND NEED-TO-KNOWS Try The World Experience a foreign country’s culture without ever leaving home. Owners Kat Vorotova and David Foult created Try The World to share their love of travel and food. Each box contains six to seven gourmet snacks with a country-of-origin description and culture guide. $198/year (includes six boxes), $39/single package

Book Riot For a blend of original books and novel items, order Book Riot. Show love for all things literary by sipping out of a custom Book Riot flask, or jot down thoughts in the library card notebook while enjoying some Shakespearean candy. $50/three months

Bean Box Get through the daily grind with Bean Box, a monthly shipment of original blend, fresh-roasted Seattle coffee. The project began unintentionally, when owners Ryan Fritzky and Matthew Berk met in various Seattle cafes for work. After experiencing such flavorful coffees, they wanted to have it all the time—and share it. $17/month

Boxed

Shopping These days, even convenience is becoming more convenient. If online shopping is still too much work, try subscription boxes. Simply order online, and a new kit stocked with fun, niche items tailored to your tastes will arrive at your doorstep. Check out these out-of-the-box options.

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Bespoke Post Setting its sights on the men’s boxed shopping market, Bespoke Post fills its “Boxes of Awesome” with items like straight razors and a homemade gin kit. Each delivery offers a dose of education and entertainment. The owners, Steven Szaronos and Rishi Prabhu, supply products for men wanting luxury without the hassle of shopping. $45/box for club member, $55 for non-club members

BarkBox There’s no such thing as a ruff day when this package arrives. BarkBox sends dog gifts, such as toys, accessories, or health products, every month. And it’s not just puppy love—10 percent of the proceeds go to national shelters and animal welfare organizations. $19/month for one year, $29/single box

BIT of LIT

How to Be Both, Ali Smith: Ali Smith’s “How to Be Both” is the choose-yourown-adventure story of Italian artist Francesco del Cossa. Written in two parts, the book is told from the perspective of del Cossa and a precocious 16-year-old named George. Here’s where the choose your own adventure comes into play: Not all copies of the book are in the same order. The story sequence is dependent upon which copy you happen to pick up. One version begins with the story of George, who wanders a London

museum while dealing with the sudden death of her mother. The other begins with the ghost of Francesco del Cossa, observing George as she looks at his work. George becomes obsessed with sharing del Cossa’s story with the world—much to the surprise of the ghost. Winner of the 2014 Goldsmith’s Prize, “How to Be Both” is unpredictable and blurs the lines between gender, genre, the past, and the present. Pulp, Charles Bukowski: A dedication page honoring “bad writing” comes as no surprise from the cynical yet charmingly sarcastic author Charles Bukowski. “Pulp,” his last book before his death, features lowlife private investigator Nicky Belane, who finds himself in strange, inescapable situations. Belane thought his work had dried up until he’s hired to work three strange cases by three equally as strange people: a femme fatale named Lady Death, a flakey mortician, and a man who won’t reveal his identity. “Pulp” is the

ideal book to pick up on a bad day and escape into Bukowski’s eccentric Los Angeles, where your pessimistic attitude is perfectly acceptable. A Freewheelin’ Time: A Memoir of Greenwich Village, Suze Rotolo: Dating one of the most influential artists in rock ‘n’ roll history seems like it would be a one-way ticket out of a boring life. But for author Suze Rotolo, life with a musician skyrocketing to fame was anything but enjoyable. In the early 1960s, she was the girlfriend of iconic artist Bob Dylan. He called her his muse and first love. She tells a different story. Years after her split with Dylan, she transcribes her less-than-fairytale romance with a chronically unfaithful, unsupportive man who only cared for her when it was convenient. “A Freewheelin’ Time” is a lesson on 1960s politics and an unflattering memoir detailing the destructive powers of fame. Make a playlist of Dylan, The Beatles, and The Byrds, and travel back in time to 1963 Greenwich Village, New York.

MASTERCLASS TRAINING

Head to drakemagazine. com/bitoflit for more DrakeMag Book Club picks.

Get VIP Access with the new video streaming account. Pipe-dream phrases like “I want to be Usher when I grow up” feel a little less out of reach thanks to interactive courses with MasterClass. Online how-to videos help users perfect their backhand swing with Serena Williams, give swoon-worthy performances with Usher, and keep readers turning pages with James Patterson. You’ll feel like you’re learning from the best—because you are. The $90 program provides three weeks worth of A-list teaching, including video lectures, printable homework assignments, and opportunities to submit your work for critique from the masters.

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BITS + PIECES

What The Frack?

words: Emma Huston illustration: Gaby Gaass

Getting under the surface of the Controversial Energy source. IIIIIIIII I IIII

What Wh hat is fracking?

Natural gas is a fossil fuel that forms when million-year-old organisms decompose. The gas, which is Nat trapped in rock below the Earth’s surface, is harvested via hydraulic fracturing, better known as fracking. trap

pros p

cons Natural gas has lower CO2 emissions than coal and other fossil fuels.

IIIIIII II IIIIIIIIIII II II II IIII I

Fracking increases energy security by reducing foreign dependency on fossil fuels.

600,000

Fracking can boost local Fra economies by providing eco jobs—more than 600,000 jjob b 2010. in 20

steps 1 2

Sources: epa.gov columbia.edu annualreviews.org

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Na Natural atural gas generates ge enerates enera rates 25 percent pe ercentt of electricity l t i it in i the US.

0ther facts

2/3

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of the natural gas produced produce is used in vital industries, such as i d t i pharmaceutical, fertilizer production, and heating and cooling.

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Though natural gas emits less CO2 than tha other fossil fuels, it is mostly comprised of methane, which traps 84 times more heat in n the atmosphere osphere than y er CO2 over e

a r s

handle bars SWITCH GEARS WITH CYCLIST-FRIENDLY BARS. WORDS BY: DANIELA BUVAT PHOTO BY: JULIAN STATE

Biker bars are evolving. Growling motors are being replaced with pedals, pumps, and a beer-loving community of cyclists. Give legs a break, and check out one of these biking-inspired bars. Rendezvous Lounge Adel, Iowa Located along the Raccoon River Valley Trail, Rendezvous is a convenient pit stop for riders needing to replenish. Cool down in the beer tub, a galvanized tub of water for weary bikers to relax in. Or hop on the bike-blending hybrid trainer that owner Doug Kintzle created to concoct a fresh margarita with every pedal. Lineage Brewing Plymouth, Ohio What’s better than a beer that keeps on giving? Lineage Brewing features a specialty brew for bikers called the Trail Day Ale. A portion of the proceeds from the limited-edition beer go to a local mountain biking campaign. Free-wheelin’ customers also have reserved parking at Lineage’s new bike racks, ensuring bicycles are safe while cyclists unwind after a ride on the Olentangy Trail. Windmill Pointe Brewing Co. Detroit Windmill Pointe Brewing relies on Pedal-Powered Beer, a system the owners designed to produce electricity. Stationary bikes are set up in the tap room, where energy from pedaling patrons is converted into electricity and stored in a battery. The power is then used to heat water for brewing. Windmill Pointe’s ecofriendly brewing style makes it the perfect spot to drink sustainably and feel good about it.

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BITS + PIECES

QUICK QUIPS AND NEED-TO-KNOWS

check out drakemagazine.com/ craftsman to see tweedy at work.

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SOMETHING TO FEAST ON

FOOD + DRINK

late-night bites DES MOINES CHEFS ARE DISHING ON THEIR FAVORITE AFTER-DARK EATS.

WORDS BY: LAUREN KASSIEN PHOTO BY: JULIAN STATE

KATIE BRENNAN, SOUS CHEF AT BISTRO MONTAGE Brennan graduated from culinary school at Des Moines Area Community College in 2010. She practiced her cooking skills at area favorites like Splash and Alba before moving to Bistro Montage.

COREY PLINE, MANAGER AT TACOPOCALYPSE When Pline left the Navy several years ago, he knew he wanted to go on to become a chef. After honing his skills at the Science Center and Alba, Pline accepted his position at Tacopocalpyse.

BIG TOMATO PIZZA CO. Big Tomato Pizza Co. meets all of Brennan’s major requirements for a late-night snack: “It’s fast, easy to get to, and affordable, whether you want a whole pizza or just a slice,” Brennan says. Her favorite after-work treat is a box of Italian fries, or more simply, a whole cheese pizza folded in half then cut into gooey, dunkable strips. Each order comes with ranch and marinara sauces for dipping.

KELLY’S LITTLE NIPPER To wind down after a busy day, Pline heads to Kelly’s Little Nipper, an unassuming hole-in-the-wall with an extensive food menu and a bar that never gets too crowded. For a late dinner, he suggests the pork tenderloin. “It’s one of the last places in Des Moines that serves it on a thick French baguette and not a tiny little bun,” Pline says.

2613 Ingersoll Ave. Open daily: 11 a.m. – 3 a.m. 12

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1701 E. Grand Ave. Open daily: 10 a.m. – 2 a.m.

AMANDA PHILLIPS, CULINARY DIRECTOR AT THE DES MOINES SOCIAL CLUB After graduating from culinary school in Vermont, Phillips sharpened her skills at restaurants around the Midwest before moving to Des Moines in 2012. Today, she teaches cooking classes at the Des Moines Social Club. “I love being able to talk to people about food,” Phillips says. “People may be reserved at first, but they always let their guards down when they talk about food.” EATERY A For a hip yet toned down place to cap off a night out, Phillips recommends Eatery A. The restaurant’s bar menu offers a variety of shareable small plates, but for those looking to indulge, Phillips suggests the No. 4 wood-fired pizza. Topped with local prosciutto and two kinds of Italian salami, “it has just the right amount of meat and grease to be the ultimate drunk food,” Phillips says. “Finish the night off with Irish coffee, and you’re good to go.” 2932 Ingersoll Ave. Weeknights: 3 p.m. – 11 p.m. Friday-Sunday: 3 p.m. – midnight

For all recipes: Use lime to coat the rim of the glass. Pour seasoning of choice onto a small plate. Twist the rim of the glass in the seasoning.

THESE AREN’T “HANG OUT AT YOUR LOCAL BAR MARYS.” AFTER DECADES AS THE CLASSIC BREAKFAST BEVERAGE, BLOODY MARYS HAVE BECOME MORE BOLD. WE PUT TOGETHER SOME SAVORY RECIPES THAT WILL MAKE MARY THE CENTER OF ATTENTION—JUST AS SHE LIKES IT. RECIPES BY: HEATHER KILBY | PHOTOS BY: COLE NORUM | ART BY: HANNAH ERICKSON

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FOOD + DRINK

SOMETHING TO FEAST ON

can’t be controlled mary Get ready for a good time. This Mary makes taste buds dance.

Take charge and speak up, this Mary means business. Ingredients: 2 oz. vodka 4 oz. Zing Zang Bloody Mary Mix 4 oz. Clamato tomato juice 1 tsp. fresh horseradish 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce 1/8 tsp. celery salt Pepper to taste 2 lime wedges Pickle Wraps 2 dill pickle spears 2 oz. corned beef, shaved 4 tsp. cream cheese, softened Garnish: 1 stalk of celery 4 Queen olives 1 beef stick Sprig of cilantro 4 cubes cheddar cheese 1 hard-boiled egg, sprinkled with cayenne pepper and salt 1 shrimp cocktail, sprinkled with paprika Old Bay seasoning Wooden skewers Directions: Fill 16 oz. mixing glass with ice. Add vodka, bloody mary mix, Clamato, horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, celery salt, pepper, and squeeze of lime wedge. Shake vigorously five times. Pour the mixed beverage into a seasoned glass, leaving about an inch for toppings. Thread the remaining ingredients on skewers for garnishes. 14

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Ingredients: 1 ½ oz. vodka 1/8 tsp. pepper 3 oz. beef broth 2 oz. tomato juice 2 lime wedges 2 orange wedges BLT Sliders: 1 tsp. mayo 4 slices bacon, cooked 1 tomato, thinly sliced 3 lettuce leaves, cut in one-inch pieces 2 slices wheat bread, toasted Directions: Combine vodka, pepper, beef broth, and tomato juice in mixing glass. Shake well. Squeeze one lime and one orange wedge into shaker. Strain into seasoned glass over ice. Garnish with skewered bacon and cheese cubes, BLT sliders, and orange and lime wedges.

Extra tips and tricks: Pickle Wraps: Spread cream cheese on one slice of beef. Place the pickle in the cream cheese, and roll the beef around the pickle tightly. Cut into chunks, and slide them on a skewer. BLT sliders: Cut the slice of bread into four even pieces. Pile on bacon, lettuce, tomato, and mayo. Slide onto a skewer to garnish.

For spicy-food fanatics, this Mary’s sharp tongue provokes the senses. Ingredients: 2 oz. Absolut Peppar vodka 8 oz. tomato juice 2 tsp. of Demitri’s All Natural Bloody Mary Seasoning 1 tsp. pickle juice 1 splash of Sriracha 5 splashes Tabasco sauce 1 lime wedge 1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper Salt and pepper to taste Garnish: Assorted pepper skewer (pepperoncini, jalapeño, mini sweet red, yellow, and orange) 1 green onion 2 slices bacon, cooked 1 pickle spear 4 cubes pepper jack cheese 1 pepperoni stick 4 blue cheese-stuffed olives Directions: Fill 16 oz. mixing glass with ice. Add vodka, tomato juice, Demitri’s, pickle juice, Sriracha, Tabasco, squeezed lime wedge, cayenne pepper, and salt and pepper. Shake vigorously five times. Pour mixed beverage into seasoned glass. Thread remaining ingredients on skewers for garnishes.

Strange Donuts

@strangedonuts St. Louis, Missouri

Co-owner Corey Smale set the gold standard for an on-the-spot creation, with a cake doughnut topped with edible glitter and golden candy nuggets. The shop is no stranger to collaborations, whether it’s a doughnut filled with beef-broth jelly for a nearby Vietnamese restaurant or a special diamond ring-shaped option for one customer’s marriage proposal.

glazed

and a muse words by: Anna Steenson photos by: PRANEETH RAJSINGH

Perhaps it was a simple sweet tooth paired with an early morning appetite. Or maybe it was a desire to revamp coffee’s partner-in-crime. Either way, Drake Magazine was inspired by doughnuts. We reached out to the top shops in the Heartland to figure out their secrets. Along the way, they shared both original recipes and beloved favorites to try at home. DRAKEMAGAZINE.COM

FOOD + DRINK

The Donut Stop St. Charles, Missouri

Named one of the “10 Best Places to Get Donuts” by “USA Today,” The Donut Shop is a no-frills, family-run joint that celebrates more than 60 years in business. They boast 100plus varieties of doughnuts, but the Long Johns are a fan favorite. Owner Tim Klepzig decorated one just for us, drizzled with melted chocolate and warm caramel sauce, then sprinkled with sea salt.

The Donut Whole @thedonutwhole Wichita, Kansas

“I had a cushy office job,” owner Michael Carmody says. “But I always joked about running away and opening a doughnut shop.” In 2009, he opened The Donut Whole, where from-scratch doughnuts are made with local ingredients and available 24/7 through a drive-up window. Our favorite? The fruity-cereal covered Sunshine Citrus, which is layered in a tangy citrus glaze.

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SOMETHING TO FEAST ON

The Doughnut Vault @doughnutvault Chicago

Track down the Vault Van via social media for vintage flavors like buttermilk, pistachio, toasted almond, and the Pomegranate Crunch. The menu changes daily, so if a favorite style is missing from the menu, voice your concerns on social media. “If people ask or request flavors, we can adjust what we’re ordering based on that,” General Manager Jessi DiBartolomeo says.

Propaganda Doughnuts @PropagandaDonut Grand Rapids, Michigan

The Ice King doughnut is a blissful combination of blueberry and mint. Propaganda Doughnuts, the winners of the Food Network’s “Donut Showdown,” originally sized the Ice King for a basic, round doughnut, but we transferred the fresh flavors onto a Long John to make it the berry best it could be.

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SOMETHING TO FEAST ON

FOOD + DRINK

Topped Doughnuts @Toppeddoughnuts Ankeny, Iowa

Self-described Doughnut Jedi Tom Ostring came up with the “Not Your Average Nacho” doughnut, featuring a spicy nacho cheese filling. Top it off with lime glaze, cilantro, jalapeño peppers and tortilla chips for crunch. Even cheesier is Ostring’s dream doughnut: “It’d be tall, good looking, and have a great sense of humor,” he says.

Start With

Spread Around

Layer On

Top It Off With

1 UNGLAZED DOUGHNUT

Mix ¼ cup vanilla icing with 2 drops yellow food coloring

GOLD SPRINKLES

1 JELLY DOUGHNUT WITHOUT FILLING

Mix 1 tsp. lime juice with ¼ cup vanilla icing; inject with 2 Tbsp. nacho cheese using a syringe

CHOPPED JALAPEÑO PEPPERS

CHOPPED CILANTRO, CRUSHED TORTILLA CHIPS

1 LONG JOHN

FUDGE SAUCE

CARAMEL SYRUP

SEA SALT

1 UNGLAZED DOUGHNUT

Mix ¼ cup vanilla icing with 1 tsp. orange zest

FRUITY BREAKFAST CEREAL

ORANGE ZEST

1 UNGLAZED DOUGHNUT

Mix ¼ cup vanilla icing with 2 tsp. pomegranate juice

POMEGRANATE SEEDS

LEMON ZEST

BLUEBERRIES

MINT LEAVES

1 LONG JOHN

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Mix ¼ cup vanilla icing with 2 drops blue food coloring and 2 drops mint extract

GOLD ROCKS

Insta Guilt

words by: Marissa DePino

PUT DOWN THE SPICE PACKET, AND CRAFT A REGION-INSPIRED RAMEN DISH INSTEAD. words BY: MELISSA STUDACH photo BY: JULIAN STATE

Time to ditch the seasoning packet. The dorm room essential is graduating to more sophisticated dishes—especially in the Midwest. Ramen is a regional cuisine, so recipes vary depending on where the order is placed. It’s not about staying authentic to the traditional Japanese dish, but rather infusing the basics with local style and flavor. The Midwest’s ramen scene has grown rapidly in the last year, with new shops opening in Chicago, Des Moines, and the Twin Cities. Nebraska even hosts the annual Omaha Ramen Fest. No matter the location, though, two ingredients remain constant. “Ramen—in its simplest form—is broth and noodles,” says Abbey-Jo Eans, co-owner of Columbus Park Ramen Shop in Kansas

City, Missouri. “Then it has different garnishes based on where you’re from or what you have in your region.” Columbus Park Ramen Shop is Kansas City’s first ramen restaurant and relies on local farmers to define their Midwest-inspired recipes. Pork jowel marinates for hours to create a smoky, bacon-flavored broth. Fresh eggs, Amish chicken, and seasonal veggies add color and zest to each bowl of whole-wheat noodles. Each concoction reflects its regional roots. For most chefs, ramen has become a creative outlet. “Sometimes we’re too stuck on, ‘Oh, this isn’t the way it should be,’” Eans says. “But food is an expression of the person who is making it, so I don’t see any limits to ramen.”

A well-prepared meal looks scrumptious on Instagram, but now, that picture may not be worth the guilt. Thanks to engineers at Google, users may soon know more than desired about the delicious calories they’re consuming. Im2Calories trains algorithms to recognize food in pictures and calculate the calories. The app forms an estimate of the number of calories in a particular photo by comparing it to photos of similar food. “If the ingredients are easy to identify, the result will be accurate,” says Li Wang, professor of engineering and information sciences at DeVry University in Chicago. “But if the food’s ingredients are similar to other ingredients or the size of the ingredients are too small, the app cannot differentiate them.” The more times the app is given an image of a piece of chocolate cake, for example, the more likely Im2Calories will be able to identify chocolate cake in the future. So go ahead and indulge, but Instagram will know.

hungry for more? try our upscale ramen recipes at drakemagazine.com/ramen

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FASHION + BEAUTY

LIVE AND LOOK GOOD

Denim has survived decades of renewal, from bellbottoms and jackets, to tennis shoes and back again. This season, the century-old textile is going places Levi Strauss himself could never have imagined. Channel Farah Fawcett with runway-ready bell-bottoms. Pair with a simple high heel to get the most out of the leg-lengthening, waistslimming style. Ditch the stiff business button-up, and throw on one with a casual, paisley print. Pair a denim necktie with a simple collared shirt for a classic yet modern vibe. Joggers give denim the sporty look it’s always desired. Channel ’50s greaser style with a cool jean jacket. Leave the laces of classic leather boots loosened, and tuck joggers in for a casual, trendy look. WORDS + STYLING BY: CLAUDIA WILLIAMS ASSISTANT STYLIST: EUNICE CHANG PHOTO BY: ASHLEY KIRKLAND HAIR BY: GRACE KOOISTRA MAKEUP BY: JORDAN GERMAN ON CARA: Shirt, $30, Matilda Muse. Cape, $179, Ann Taylor. Jeans, $78, Free People. Heels, $139, Vince Camuto. Necklace, $33, Loft. Bracelet, $35, J. Crew. ON KEEGAN: Pants, $37, Levi’s. Shirt, $25, Old Navy. Jacket, $70, American Eagle. Boots, $175, Aldo. Tie, $60, J. Crew. Watch, $60, Zumiez.

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Dinosaur Button-up Spice up chambray with this Jurassic-inspired, long-sleeved button up. Ragstock, $25.

Backpack Carry essentials in style with a denim backpack straight out of the ’70s. These vintage knapsacks are guaranteed to last for decades. Etsy, $23.

Tennis Shoes Show off denim’s funky side by sporting the indigo fabric on a pair of lace-up sneakers. Ragstock, $10.

Boyfriend Jeans Once considered a style “don’t,” boyfriend jeans are back. This loose-fitting, comfy denim looks great paired with sleek stilettos. Zara, $50. Jean Skirt Middle school called… It wants it jean skirt back. Short skirts are reliving their glory days and better than ever thanks to big buttons up the front. American Eagle, $40.

Clutch Nothing says 1987 like acid-wash denim. Update the beatup, bleached fabric by wearing it as a handheld clutch. Matilda Muse, $32.

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BITS + PIECES

Fur is fierce. Layer fuzzy outerwear over a faux vest, keeping the jacket open to show off the entire look. Pick solid under-layers to avoid overpowering the coat. ON NIKITA: Dress, $30, The Style Bar Boutique. Vest, $48, The Style Bar Boutique. Jacket, $117, ASOS. Necklace, $15, Target.

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FASHION STYLING & WORDS BY: Maggie Dickman ASSISTANT STYLIST: Brooke Lofgren HAIR BY: Brittany Krienert & Ahna Larson MAKEUP BY: Jordan German PHOTOS BY: Sam Fathallah

Put a winter twist on edgy leather staples by layering the sleek pieces with knits or a jacket. Pro tip: Pick faux. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a budget-friendly alternative to wearing the real thing. ON ARIANNA: Skirt, $30, Aeropostale. Sweater, $50, Express. Crop Top, $18, Forever 21. Watch, $11, Target. Necklaces, $15, Target. ON DREW: Jacket, $198, Express. Tee, $22, Fugitive Apparel Co. Pants, $98, Express.

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Style corduroy pants for a dressed-up touch, or keep things businesscasual with a tweed vest. Feeling brave? Combine the two, but let patterned detailing balance the heavy textures.

ON CHRIS: Plaid Shirt, $70, Vest, $99, Jeans, $88, The Backroom. ON PIERCE: Coat, $225, Pants, $19, Shirt, $45, Pocket Square, $25, The Backroom.

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ON ARIANNA: Dress, $56, Dry Goods. Jacket, $74, Dry Goods. Necklace, $15, Target. Bracelet, $8, The Style Bar Boutique.

Suede’s smooth finish is enhanced by contrasting shades. Mix in fringed detailing for added flair.

ON SARAH: Dress, $47, The Style Bar Boutique. Jacket, $54, Matilda Muse. Necklaces, Model’s own.

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Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no wrong way to layer knits. We suggest starting with a basic color scheme, then picking the textures. Cable-knit sweaters, roll necks, or chunky cardigans are versatile options.

ON CHRIS: Sweater, $70, American Eagle. Trousers, $50, JCPenney. ON NIKITA: Sweater, $35, Old Navy. Crew Neck $50, Express. Jeans, $45, American Eagle. ON DREW: Cardigan $60, JCPenney. Crewneck, $74, Fugitive Apparel Co. Jeans, $60, Fugitive Apparel Co.

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ON ARIANNA: Sweater, $45, Old Navy. Vest, $52, Matilda Muse. Jeans, $69, Fusion Boutique. Necklace and shoes, Model’s own. ON SARAH: Sweater, $44, Matilda Muse. Jeans, $42, Matilda Muse. Necklace, $15, Target. ON PIERCE: Cardigan, $88, Express. Henley, $35, American Eagle. Jeans, $68, JCPenney. Shoes, Model’s own.

for a behind-thescenes look at the fashion shoot head to drakemagazine. com/btstextures

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FASHION + BEAUTY

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LIVE AND LOOK GOOD

words by: JORDAN GERMAN photo by: COLE NORUM

Metro men have transformed from overly concerned narcissists to the indemand advisors of grooming. And for good reason. Clean and controlled is a look to be desired窶馬ot to mention easy with multi-purpose formulas made with men in mind.

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FASHION + BEAUTY

get inked

LIVE AND LOOK GOOD

words by: Megan Mowery photo by: sam fathallah

Move over, permanent tattoos. Getting inked has a new meaning. Meet Inkbox, the two-week tattoo stencil that uses all-natural, fruitbased ink. Stick the stencil on skin, color in with the bottled ink, wait two hours and enjoy. Brothers Tyler and Braden Handley sought out an alternative to temporary tattoos and potentially carcinogenlaced Henna. “We’re trying to replicate the entire spectrum of tattoo art, temporarily speaking,” Tyler says. The wide selection of kits are perfect for tattoo aficionados with a slight fear of commitment. Sold at getinkbox.com

see inkbox in action at drakemagazine. com/tatted

words by: Cooper Warner illustration by: hannah erikson

ALL IS FAIR, THE MIDWEST’S FIRST TRANSGENDER LINGERIE STORE, ADVOCATES FOR EQUALITY. During Felix Johnson’s transition, his only source for transgender underwear was online shops. “I never went to an actual store,” Johnson says. “That could have helped me.” At the time, no shops existed. No signs displayed inclusive advertisements for the types of garments Johnson needed to outwardly present the way he felt inside. Despite increased awareness of the transgender community, the group continues to be underrepresented, something Peregrine Honig, owner of Kansas City, Missouri’s All is Fair, hopes to change through underwear. Honig also owns Birdies, a standard lingerie store. She consistently heard from customers, the trans

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community, and mothers of transitioning youth about the need for specialized undergarments. “It’s a matter of individuals being as comfortable in public as they are in private,” Honig says. “Being uncomfortable in your clothes is a human problem.” All is Fair, which will open in January, is working to fix that problem. As the first boutique transgender lingerie store in the Midwest, All is Fair will serve both trans men and women and includes sizes for teens. Honig worked with designers and Kansas City’s transgender community to create a line of high-quality and affordable garments, including binders, tuckers, and cinchers—all aimed at enhancing or reducing certain body parts.

Developing the best product possible has been challenging, but important. “We all make a statement when we go out into the world with our clothes,” Honig says. “I want everyone to feel good.” The goal is to create a haven where the transgender community feels comfortable. Besides customers, Honig thought about how employees and design would affect store dynamics. She hired both trans and non-trans workers, all of whom have gone through extensive employee-sensitivity training. And because a frilly lingerie store interior wouldn’t suit the clientele, All is Fair emanates a clean and modern design. “We had to ask, ‘How would a trans male feel in a lingerie

store?’” Honig says. Inclusion is one of the main tenets of All is Fair—something Johnson predicts will be a critical part of the store’s success. Going to an actual store to get help with things like binders—a garment that flattens the chest—would have been a great resource during his transition and a way to meet other people like him, he says. Besides the added convenience, trans lingerie stores provide public awareness. “People don’t know much about transgender people, but if they see a store, they are reminded that they exist,” Johnson says. “If they see it more, it would motivate people to better understand the difference.”

Natural Supplements Words by: Elise Nikolic

Following an alternative diet may be a healthy lifestyle choice, but removing key nutrients can also lead to areas of deficiency. Alex Badrawi, a personal trainer at Magna in Minneapolis, recommends the following foods to alleviate insufficiencies in common diets.

VEGAN A vegan diet eliminates any animal products. Missing nutrients: vitamin B12, iron, calcium, protein Regain nutrients with: almond or soy milk, beans, kale, mushrooms, nuts, spinach, tempeh

GLUTEN FREE Think outside the shop with traveling pop-up boutiques.

words by: emily vanschmus photo courtesy of: maria bosworth

On the outside, it’s just an old school bus painted green—nothing too out of the ordinary against the Twin Cities landscape. Up the steps, however, there isn’t the expected steering wheel and rows of cracked, gray seats. Instead, racks of clothing line the narrow aisles and vintage items hang over the windows. The Uncommon Loon is a Minneapolis-based store-on-wheels. Since thrift and vintage shops have become the new “in,” owner Abby Rosen wanted to do something different. So she joined a club of roaming entrepreneurs. Fashion trucks became popular on the east and west coasts in the late ’90s and are now cruising into the Midwest. On the heels of the foodtruck craze, the fashion-on-wheels trend is slowly morphing into a movement. According to FindAFashionTruck.com, there are more than 300 fashion trucks registered in the US. The trucks stop in different parts of the region, expanding their market to customers who might not normally make the drive to a faraway shop. “It’s great because you can reach your

market directly,” Rosen says. “With the bus you can drive to festivals and go to events, and the people you want to sell to are already there.” Rosen restocks the truck’s vintage, one-of-a-kind items along the way. “I buy the things we sell at garage sales and estate sales, so I’m always finding new pieces,” she says. The perks of a fashion truck make up for the lack of space. Stores can follow the demand and don’t have to pay rent at a permanent location. Owners simply post their whereabouts on social media when they’re in a new location, and customers come to check out the new concept. The mobile aspect can be daunting to new owners, but Rosen says it’s just an added bonus when starting a business. “I’ve never run my own business before so this was great,” she says. “Start-up costs are typically 25 percent of what it would cost for a brick-and-mortar shop. So money is less of an issue.” So don’t be surprised if a converted ice cream truck turns out to carry clothes instead–buy something new and roll with it.

A gluten-free diet excludes all wheatbased products, including rye and barley. Missing nutrients: vitamin B12, iron, calcium Regain nutrients with: cheese, kale, milk, sardines, tofu, yogurt

PALEO Paleo followers only consume foods eaten by early humans, such as meat, fish, fruit, and vegetables. Missing nutrients: calcium, carbohydrates, iron Regain nutrients with: apples, avocado, bananas, fish oil supplements, grass-fed meats, kale, nuts, seeds, spinach, soybeans

DAIRY FREE Dairy-free consumers remove milk, cheese, and all other dairy products from their diets. Missing nutrients: calcium, B vitamins, zinc Regain nutrients with: chickpeas, kidney, lean beef, lentils, liver, nuts, seafood, soy milk, tofu, whole-grain cereals

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FOR THE BODY AND THE MIND

HEALTH + SEX

Words by: Courtney Smith Photo by: sam fathallah

STAYING WELL HAS NEVER BEEN MORE IN FASHION. THESE HEALTH-TRACKING WEARABLES HAVE BEAUTY AND BRAINS. Moodmetric Juvenile mood rings have received a tech upgrade. Crafted by a top jewelry designer, the Moodmetric ring tracks a user’s sweat gland output to identify stressors. The ring is linked to an app, which logs emotional levels throughout the day to help the user recognize—and potentially prevent—future anxiety. Lumo Lift Slouch no more. Lumo Lift, worn discreetly under a suit jacket or as a fashionable lapel pin, helps keep a balanced posture. A short vibration at every caved-in shoulder movement instantly prompts proper alignment.

Leaf Worn as a metal clip or natureinspired necklace or bracelet, Leaf does what most trackers don’t: alerts wearers when they’ve been inactive for too long. The signal reminds users to avoid the health risks of couch-potato laziness and keep their bodies moving. June The versatile leather wrap bracelet helps prevent sunburn, wrinkles, and skin cancer. June tracks UV-ray exposure—even when it doesn’t seem sunny— and alerts the user as exposure nears 100 percent, a guaranteed sunburn.

the seedy truth

Words by: Maddy gildersleeve Photos by: Cole Norum

Let’s get to the center of an avocado—literally. The pit contains powerful antioxidants that help boost the immune system, but reaping the nutritional benefit takes some creativity. Grab a seed, and try these recipes for what Paul Haider, master herbalist at Shambala Spiritual Transformation Institution, calls “a gold mine of free antioxidants.” Sweet Slices Carefully peel the brown skin off the pit. Cut the remaining seed into slices with a sharp knife, then dip in honey. Powdered Blend Put the pit in a plastic bag, and leave it on the windowsill for a few days. Once it has dried out, pound the pit with a hammer. Grind the pieces in a high-power blender, then sprinkle the powder over salad or soup.

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lube

words by: ellen judge photos by: sam fathallah

No one likes all toast and no jelly. Forget the lube disguise. Throwing random items on the drugstore checkout counter in hopes of covering up the slippery stuff is unnecessary. Lube is nothing to be scared or ashamed of. “Lubrications have been used for centuries,” says Kim Countryman, D.O., of The Iowa Clinic in Waukee, Iowa. She explains that ancient Greeks used olive oil to slicken things up. Today, more than 65 percent of men and women admit to having used lube during sex, according to the 2012 National Survey of Sexual Health and Behavior. Lubricants vary by preferences, from water- to oil-based, warming to flavored, all-natural to synthetic. Waterbased is the most common on the shelves and is easy to clean up. Silicone- and oil-based lubes can cause latex to break down, so be careful when using them with condoms. Finding the right lubricant takes experimentation, but don’t be embarrassed to test the hypothesis.

Not Your Average Butters Cosmic Bear: Glow In The Dark Lubricant Meet the new glow stick. The only glow-in-the-dark lube in the world, the Cosmic Bear Formula is water-based, nontoxic, and doesn’t stain. Amazon, $15 Whiskey Dick Unlike its namesake, Whiskey Dick lube will enhance a night of fun. Flavored like real whiskey, the lube is aged for four years and promises a “velvety smooth” finish. Amazon, $13 Sliquid Sizzle All-natural Sliquid Sizzle is vegan-friendly and gluten free. The best part? Sizzle goes on cool and warms with friction. Sliquid.com, $14

Adult coloring books ease stress and enhance creativity. words by: Molly adamson | photo by: Sam Fathallah Poring over the pages of a coloring book isn’t just for kids anymore. Adults are getting in on the pastime as a way to de-stress. “Coloring helps the brain wind down from a long day,” says Claudia Trevithick, a Denverbased registered psychotherapist. Shading in the designs engages both the left and right hemispheres of the brain, Trevithick says, which creates more neural activity. Plus, coloring between intricate lines requires focus and offers a distraction from whatever else is on your mind. To reap maximum benefits, Trevithick recommends pulling out the colored pencils right before bedtime. So go ahead and crack open a coloring book. Your inner five-year-old (and your brain) will thank you.

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HEALTH + SEX

FOR THE BODY AND THE MIND

One writer tests the waters of floatation therapy. It’s dark. I’m lying in a tub of salt water with only my thoughts for company. But soon, even they drift off. There are no distractions. No traces of the outside world. This is floatation therapy. Floatation tanks, also called sensory deprivation tanks, are large chambers filled with about a foot of water and more than 700 pounds of Epsom salts that make it impossible not to float. The dark, quiet environment temporarily removes the senses and makes it easier to meditate. My session required little preparation. I was told not to come too hungry or too full to prevent my stomach from “doing its thing” while trying to relax. I was also advised to avoid caffeine for a few hours beforehand, so my morning latte had to wait. When I arrived, I was shown to a private room with a shower, floatation tank, and basic amenities like towels, a robe, and earplugs. After I showered and climbed in, it took a few minutes to adjust to the feeling of being weightless. I didn’t know what to do with my arms, and my feet kept bumping the sides. I had a stuffy nose that day, so with the earplugs in, all I could hear was my ragged breathing.

Eventually, the initial confusion wore off, and I drifted into what I think was the meditative state strived for. It also might have just been a nap—I’m not quite sure. But floating is more than lying in salty water. It can help with arthritis, back or neck pain, and various stress-related ailments. The Epsom salts are wonderful for hair, skin, and even aching muscles. However, the greatest benefits aren’t tangible. “When you cut off all of your sensory information, you get this disembodying feeling,” says Joseph Gauthier, meditation teacher at Lamrim Kadampa Buddhist Center in Davenport, Iowa. “I can imagine that kind of meditation is good for recognizing your mind.” Most experts recommend floating at least two or three times to get the full effect. The first time is largely getting used to the experience rather than reaping the meditative benefits. Floating regularly can reduce stress levels, heighten the senses, and improve creativity. While my first float included a small bout of panic during which I sat up and wondered what in the world I was doing, my second float was more successful. I knew what to expect, making it more of a meditation session rather than a floating nap.

“WHEN YOU CUT OFF ALL OF YOUR SENSORY INFORMATION, YOU GET THIS DISEMBODYING FEELING.”

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words by: Jenna Pfingsten photo by: sam fathallah

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B X E U

I U R R

S E A L A S E

SOCIETY DEFINES BISEXUALS USING LIMITING ASSUMPTIONS— THEY’RE PROMISCUOUS, EXPLORING, OR ON THEIR WAY TO BEING GAY. BUT SUCH STIGMAS ERASE THEIR HUMANITY AND FUEL THE HARMFUL DENIAL OF THEIR EXISTENCE. WORDS BY: ANGELA UFHEIL PHOTOS BY: SAM FATHALLAH & ASHLEY KIRKLAND

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DANIELLE EPPARD IS OFTEN ASKED TO PARTICIPATE IN THREESOMES. The invitation usually comes a few moments after the 22-yearold University of Oklahoma student tells someone she’s bisexual. It’s the first in a long line of questions: What type of sexual experiences have you had? Have you ever been with both genders at the same time? How many partners have you had? One question she’s usually not asked: How does all of this make you feel? “Oh, objectified,” Eppard says. “Like my identity as a human completely went out the window as soon as I said I was bisexual. I was no longer a person who loved chemistry, and drawing, and playing guitar. I just became an object.” That feeling of complete objectification is the norm for those who are attracted to more than one gender. It’s so normal, in fact, that it has its own name. Bisexual erasure occurs when individuals, media, and 38

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society itself ignores bisexuality or imposes strict stereotypes upon the orientation. We see it on screen, when “Orange is the New Black” avoids openly attaching the label to the main character, Piper. We see it on the news, when Larry King treats Anna Paquin’s bisexuality as a phase that ended when she married a man. We see it in Danielle Eppard’s life, and the lives of others like her, who are reduced to nothing more than an opportunity for a threesome. We see it in the questions about whether bisexuality exists at all. For people who identify as heterosexual or homosexual, binaries are convenient ways to make sense of the world. But for the millions of people who fall somewhere in between, the pressure to fit into these constructs—to identify as either gay or straight or risk being disregarded—is more than just an inconvenience. It’s erasing, and it’s dangerous.

FEELING EXCLUDED Bisexuality is a slippery topic, perhaps because there are so many different ways to define it. Some bisexuals

self-identify, while others may have relationships with various genders without taking on the label. Still others feel attraction toward more than one gender, but do not act on it. These gray areas mean that the percentage of the US population who identify as bisexual can range from 1.2 percent to 16 percent. However, include each of these definitions, and suddenly bisexuals make up the largest group in the LGBT community—40 percent, according to Pew Research Center’s Survey of LGBT Americans in 2013. Yet many bisexuals say the “B” in LGBT is ignored. Why would gay men and women neglect the single largest portion of their group? Camille Holthaus, who serves as chair for the Bisexual Organizing Project in Minnesota, attributes homosexual people’s tendency to ignore the bisexual community to a common misconception. “If you have a same-gendered partner, then clearly anything that was being done to help

gays and lesbians would serve you,” Holthaus says. “And if you had an other-gendered partner, well, then you didn’t have any problems.” It’s an assumption that for years seemed supported by data. Sexuality surveys lumped homosexuals and bisexuals into one category. While convenient, this mathematical move fueled the belief that bisexuals could benefit from advancements made in the gay and lesbian community while simultaneously enjoying privileges offered to heterosexuals. Recently, however, researchers have made an effort to solely explore the bisexual experience. BiNet USA is the oldest advocacy group for bisexuals in America and has chapters scattered throughout the country. Their 2013 fact sheet shows that bisexual men are four times more likely to consider suicide than gay men and seven times more likely to consider suicide than straight men. Similar numbers apply to bisexual women when comparing them to lesbians

“It’s that it hurts more from them. I don’t really expect straight people to get it. But gay and lesbian people? It really hurts when they discriminate or deny our existence.”

FEELING ERASED

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and straight women. Along the same vein, bisexuals exhibit higher rates of depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders than both homosexuals and heterosexuals. The numbers come as a shock to those who believe bisexuals are living in the best of both worlds, but not to bisexuals themselves. Holthaus recalls being called a “traitor” by the lesbian community when she was younger and explains that these microaggressions can have detrimental effects. “Most bisexuals don’t feel connected to the greater LGBTQ community, and unless they find a bisexual community, they often feel isolated,” Holthaus says. “That leads to increased rates of depression. When you can’t be honest with people about who you are, it creates a lot of stress that expresses itself mentally and physically.” Even today, Holthaus says she feels uncomfortable entering gay or lesbian spaces. “It’s not that I think the gay and lesbian community has more discrimination,” Holthaus says.

“I feel like I’m a multi-dimensional being living in a world in which most people can only see in two dimensions,” says Herukhuti Williams, Ph.D., a clinical sociologist in New York City who identifies as bisexual. “People who can only see in two dimensions can only see certain aspects of you, and they’ll gauge you and treat you based upon their perception of the universe, which is two dimensional.” Many people are unable to imagine what life as a bisexual would be like, and that often causes them to deny its existence completely. “In order to fit in their two-dimensional

world, you have to try to contort yourself to that world, or remove yourself,” Williams says. “This is one of the reasons we have such high rates of suicidality among bisexuals, because the other choice is to fit into a world that limits you.” Eliel Cruz, who writes about his experiences as a bisexual man for “The Huffington Post” and other media platforms, agrees that his status as a bisexual made him feel invisible. At first, he laughs when asked about certain limiting stereotypes. “They say I’m kind of a slut,” Cruz says. “That’s the biggest one. They say I’m indecisive. That I’m going through a phase. That I’m really just gay, or I’m really just straight. That I’m delusional.

I FEEL LIKE I’M A MULTIDIMENSIONAL BEING LIVING IN A WORLD IN WHICH MOST PEOPLE CAN ONLY SEE IN TWO DIMENSIONS.

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It’s frustrating to have people question your sexuality. I don’t exist. Me personally.” The invisibility began during adolescence. He remembers being crushed when members of his church community shunned him and his family when he came out as bisexual. He was kicked out of Christian high school. He dwells on the memory of his childhood pastor refusing to shake his hand in a Wal-Mart. “When I was younger, I worried about coming out constantly,” Cruz says. “Because when I did come out, I felt a distinct pushback. I had to subdue parts of myself to make life easier. I ended up having a lot of mental health issues.” Cruz admits that his depression and anxiety are not purely born from his bisexuality, but points out that the added stressor didn’t help. “It has happened before where I’ve dealt with biphobia from gay people and fellow journalists, and it brought me a lot of anxiety figuring out how to address it or whether to address it,” Cruz says. “It adds up, dealing DRAKEMAGAZINE.COM

FEELING OBJECTIFIED Eliel Cruz felt invisible, but Danielle Eppard feels erased in a whole different way. “It immediately becomes all about my sexual experiences, not me as a person,” Eppard says. She recalls a movie that became popular in her high school, “Jennifer’s Body.” In the movie, actress Megan Fox plays a girl who identifies as bisexual. Fox’s character is a sexually-charged monster who 40

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goes on erotic killing sprees. Eppard remembers feeling that a key part of her own identity had been made demonic. Her humanity was stripped away and would be again and again with every stereotypically sexcrazed bisexual on screen. Eppard says that blatant stereotypes in the media have stopped people from recognizing her as a person. “The media and a lot of people portray bisexuals as people who are just completely promiscuous,” Eppard says. “They’re just experimenting with their bisexuality and don’t have any actual affection toward people. And that’s not the case at all. You feel very belittled and almost dehumanized when people say things like that.” The messages hurt Eppard’s ability to participate in healthy, loving relationships. “It was like everything I felt was invalidated,” she says. “It made me question what it even meant to love somebody. I kept to myself and didn’t really have a whole lot of friends growing

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with microaggressions. It’s exhausting.” Laced through Cruz’s story are what Williams calls “psychological scars.” He says that environment impacts our inner-lives. “If you live in an environment in which you feel structural violence, you experience systemic inequality,” Williams says. “That has an impact upon your mental health, your well-being, your resilience, your ability to have a sense of agency and advocacy.” Advocacy, ultimately, is the factor that allowed Cruz to reverse the erasing process. Through his writing, he has become a bit of a celebrity in the bisexual community and says that remaining invisible is no longer an option. “I’m so out,” he says. “Just Google me.”

up because I was cynical of relationships.” Even when Eppard left for college and felt more comfortable with her sexuality, she still experienced barriers. She went on several dates with a girl, but the budding romance ended abruptly when Eppard revealed her sexuality. “As soon as I said I was a bisexual, she said, ‘We’re not going to work out, then,’” Eppard says. “A lot of gays are uneasy with the idea of dating someone who claims to be bisexual because they feel like they’re just experimenting, and it’s not actually part of their identity. So I think in her eyes, I was just a straight girl who was experimenting with her.” Today, Eppard is in a relationship with a man, and she’s happy, despite the constant assumption that she’s now straight. “It’s like, with the straight community and the

IT’S FRUSTRATING TO HAVE PEOPLE QUESTION YOUR SEXUALITY. I DON’T EXIST. ME PERSONALLY.

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gay community, they want you to be one or the other,” Eppard says. “It’s completely dependent upon who I’m seeing at the time.” And she’s still struggling to navigate that stereotype. “I have yet to figure that out, as to how to tell people that I’m not just trying to experiment with a male, or a female, or a nonbinary.”Eppard says. “That’s something I need to work on.” But Williams says that the bisexual community cannot defeat the stereotypes on their own because binaries are so culturally ingrained. He points out ways in which we depend upon simplicity, from declarations of “You’re either with us or against us” to the preference for tabloid news over nuanced stories. “We’re taught to believe in the rigidity of things and to stake our safety in it.” He says that lesson needs to be unlearned. “Society has to be able to hold and appreciate when something is neither this nor that,” he says. “When it doesn’t quite fit into an easy definition or a simple soundbite. When it doesn’t easily fit into this box or that box. We have to reconcile our relationship with fluidity.”

DAY 91

IOWA-BASED REFUGEES HAVE TO LEARN A NEW LANGUAGE, FIND STABLE EMPLOYMENT, OBTAIN AFFORDABLE HOUSING, AND PASS A HEALTH SCREENING— ALL IN 90 DAYS. AFTER THAT, THEY’RE EXPECTED TO BE SELF-SUFFICIENT. WORDS BY: MOLLY LONGMAN PHOTOS BY: JULIAN STATE

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Karna Gurung arrived in Des Moines on Aug. 27, after living in a refugee camp for more than 20 years. 42

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Karna Gurung, sitting far right, was divided from his family at a refugee camp in Nepal. In August, he was reunited with his mom, dad, sisters, and distant relatives in Des Moines.

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Years after going through the resettlement process, Yasir Al Imami joined the US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants as a case manager to help new refugees.

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meet more refugees like karna at drakemagazine.com/ refugeeseries 46

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Karna Gurung doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know his address. He finds his way home by memorizing stops on a bus map.

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Dan Umthun sits at Leftyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Live Music in Des Moines, where an open-mic night every Tuesday gives alt comedy a home.

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words by: chance Hoener photos by: sam fathallah & Maddie hiatt

BEING A COMEDIAN ISN’T ALL LAUGHS. TAKE A LOOK INSIDE THE ALTERNATIVE COMEDY SCENE, AND SEE THE CHALLENGES MIDWEST COMICS FACE TO GET TO THE PUNCH LINE.

Dan Umthun would make a really crappy life coach. His mantra: “One: Don’t have dreams. And two: Don’t follow them.” But Umthun hasn’t taken his own advice. He’s only been involved with the Des Moines comedy scene for seven years, but the bearded entertainer has made his mark. In addition to being a crowd-rousing comic himself, Umthun has hosted shows and helped set up open mic nights at local venues, developing Des Moines’ comedy scene along the way. If anything, he’s a dream enabler. His most recent project: Beast Village Comedy Festival, the city’s first event devoted to alternative comedy. The festival gives Des Moines’ budding alt comedy scene a spotlight, bringing in performers from around the country to see exactly what a few folks with a dream can pull off. A Different Kind of Funny Alternative comedy is like punk rock. It’s dark. It’s concerned with societal issues. And it definitely doesn’t include a lot of glitz and glamor. It’s a shift in perspective

about what’s funny and how we think comedy should be used. “It’s a generational thing,” says Ryan Solomon, who’s been performing in Des Moines for about three years. “Our parents and older want a joke on a platter for them. They want to be told where to laugh, as opposed to our generation, who’s getting into clever stuff.” Sure, alt comedy can be raunchy, but not in a stream-of-expletives, in-your-face way. When a comedian can do a bit about jerking off, yet make it clever, it speaks to talent and the work that goes into crafting a joke these days. Alt comedy also utilizes irony or anti-jokes, meaning the punch line isn’t a joke—it’s something true. Alt comedy is starting to gain ground on major networks like Comedy Central and IFC—think Amy Schumer, Reggie Watts, or Bo Burnham. But even though it’s growing, alt comedy doesn’t come close to the shows or money offered to the mainstream crowd. Comics like Dane Cook, Jeff Dunham, and Kathy Griffin dominate the big comedy circuit. Up until recently, comedy in Des Moines relied on mainstream humor—the slapstick stuff that could belong in a sitcom.

So before Umthun’s underground scene, comics didn’t have many options, especially if their material was alternative. “Six years ago, there were no independent stand-up comedy shows here,” Umthun says. “So we started one.” It wasn’t just a one-time deal—that open mic still runs every Tuesday night at Lefty’s Live Music. Taking the Stage But a comic’s job is not as simple as showing up every Tuesday. Before getting to the stage, they must generate material, which is hard enough on its own. Then the jokes funnel through a trial-and-error period that involves performing in front of a crowd that’s 90 percent other comics, all of whom are waiting their turn for the stage. “The only way you get better is by getting on stage as much as you can,” Solomon says. “But that also means that sometimes you’re performing for no one.” Or at the very least, performing for the same crowd. “A lot of these comics are my friends, and I like their comedy,” Solomon says. “But we have to listen to each other’s same jokes over and over again. It gets tough.”

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around the Midwest and performs at And even then, they may have to deal festivals, but back home he runs his own with the worst-case scenario: putting so show and even produces a few. much work into a joke that only receives “When I feel like I’m ready to move, and stony silence. I’ve done all I can for the scene in the city, “It’s like an immediate rejection of you,” then I’ll leave,” Luke says. Solomon says. Helping out the city and paying it forward But comedians still do it. They craft new seem to be common themes among material, perform at open mics, and go to comedians. Umthun says he has no desire festivals—often just to endure silence or a to move. lonely chuckle lifting from an audience “I like Des Moines a lot. I have a cool equal to the number of peas in a pod. It’s lifestyle and help people grow into better what they love to do. comics.” He wants Des “I think there is a function Moines to be a great scene in society that comedians because he has worked fulfill on a tribal level, and hard to make it one. I’m not trying to prescribe Beast Village brought in some sort of nobility to this,” 60-plus comics, including Umthun says. “Because at headliners Baron Vaughn best, we’re just up there and Nick Vatterott, who talking about farting.” have been featured on Umthun has a point. “Comedy Central Half Comedians have the ability to Hour.” hold a mirror to society and “I may be 45 when I teach the world about itself, get there,” Umthun says. even if it’s hard to hear. “Who gives a shit? Most “Comedians are able to get people sit in an office away with that. It’s like the being what someone same thing where you had else wants them to be for the court jester, and he was money their whole lives. able to talk shit to the king -Dan Umthun In exchange for what? without getting his head cut The illusion of security?” off,” says comedian Brandon While security is Ream. “If you’re funny, something a lot of people will listen.” comedians may not have, they do have But even the most talented comedians camaraderie. Comics hung around all can’t get there without gaining ground at weekend at Beast Village, sharing beers, open mics or local festivals, like chatting, and making each other laugh. Beast Village. In reality, comedy may be more for the alt comic than the crowd, a way to cope with Small City Dreams issues in society. But if the crowd gets to At its core, Beast Village is about building laugh along too, who really cares? the scene in Des Moines into something Sixty-plus comedians stand on stage great. And along the way, it may help local after the festival. Some hug. Some cheer. comedians get to bigger stages, though not Some have glasses raised, and some tears all comics want to move on quite yet. are being shed. The Beast Village Comedy Justin Luke, who came from St. Louis to Festival is done, and it was a success. And perform at Beast Village, says he’s got a Dan Umthun is a hypocrite. good thing going back home. He travels

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ALT COMEDY DOESN’T DRAW A TWO DRINK MINIMUM AND APPETIZER CROWD. IT DRAWS A $1.50 PBR CROWD.

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Too much testosterone?

Justin Luke performs at Beast Village Comedy Festival in Des Moines. Like Umthun, Luke is dedicated to the alternative comedy scene in his own hometown of St. Louis. DRAKEMAGAZINE.COM

returning to a

words by: cole schwartz illustration by: susanna hayward background photo by: julian state

galaxy far, far away Recap the original trilogy and rediscover its heroes before they return to the big screen in “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.”

episode v: the empire strikes back Following an attack on the Rebels’ frozen hideaway, Han, Leia, and a spaceship full of sexual tension are chased across the galaxy by Imperial forces. Meanwhile, Luke seeks the wisdom of Yoda, a forgotten Jedi, to learn the ways of The Force. Eventually Skywalker must confront Darth Vader, revealing one of the most well-known plot twists in cinematic history.

episode iv: a new hope Protagonist Luke Skywalker travels across the galaxy with Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi to rescue Princess Leia from the clutches of Darth Vader and the evil Galactic Empire. Along the way, he teams up with Captain Han Solo, Chewbacca, and the Rebel Alliance to destroy the Empire’s planet-pulverizing Death Star.

Reconciling with his newfound daddy issues, Luke must use his Jedi powers to rescue Han and Leia from cruel gangster Jabba the Hutt. Reunited with the Rebels, they make their final stand against the Empire and newly re-constructed Death Star. Luke must once again duel his father and resist the temptation of the Dark Side to restore peace to the galaxy.

episode vi: return of the jedi returning to episode VII Over the course of the trilogy, the protagonist transforms from lonely farm kid to powerful Jedi Knight. Along the way he destroys spaceships, learns to use the Force, and becomes one of the most famous heroes in film.

This rogue smuggler teams up with Skywalker in every movie, quick to throw punches and punchlines when under pressure. Look for his continued badass-ery and one-liners in Episode VII.

luke skywalker

han solo

Luke’s sister, Han’s love interest, and Sci-Fi’s most iconic leading lady. She perfected the double cinnamon bun hairdo while kicking butt harder than any character in the trilogy.

princess leia

With his signature Wookiee roar, the fierce but friendly sidekick of Han Solo copilots “The Millennium Falcon” and lends a furry hand against the bad guys.

Rey

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r2-d2

A perpetually worried droid who gets dragged into galactic conflict by his more adventurous companion R2-D2. He often provides comic relief by falling apart, both figuratively and literally.

The lovechild of Han and Leia? Darth Vader’s third cousin twice removed? Fans have speculated the family lineage of Episode VII’s new protagonist, but one thing is certain: She’ll have to team up with heroes old and new to save the galaxy.

A former Stormtrooper of the First Order who changes his ways, joins forces with Rey, and eventually wields Luke Skywalker’s lightsaber against the film’s new mysterious villain.

Finn

chewbacca

Known for catalyzing the events of the first movie, this mischievous Astromech droid spends equal time causing and solving problems. He became the franchise’s most beloved character one emotive beep and buzz at a time.

new faces

c-3po

Kylo Ren

The aforementioned mysterious villain. Little is known about this frightening new antagonist and agent of the Dark Side, but he appears to be continuing the mask-wearing, deep-voiced traditions of Darth Vader.

THE GREAT ESCAPE

Adventures typically reserved for screens can now be experienced in real life. Words By: Kendall Wenaas Photos By: Julian State

Gaming fanatics, mystery novel enthusiasts, and brain-teaser buffs no longer need to solve puzzles in solitude. Escape rooms are the newest trend in PG-13 group fun and take puzzle-solving from fiction to live action. The premise is simple: Participants are locked in a room and have 60 minutes to solve the puzzles that lead to an escape. Each room has a theme, ranging from surviving a zombie apocalypse to investigating a murder. Picture an arcade environment, but instead of shooting friends with a laser beam or racing them in go-karts, participants work together to solve problems. Challenges include anything from decrypting a secret

message to opening a locked box. There are 20 puzzles on average, and until participants solve each one, they’re trapped. “It’s such a different type of entertainment,” says Eric Ista, owner of Fargo Escape Room in Fargo, North Dakota. “You can go to a movie and watch other people experience something or you can experience it yourself.” Escape rooms originated overseas, then moved to American coasts. The Midwest caught on quickly. Now, all major cities in the Heartland have at least one. After trying out an Escape Room in Denver, Ista and three of his coworkers decided to bring the entertainment home. Fargo Escape Room opened its first room, “Framed,” in

September, shortly followed by “The Will” in October. The venue immediately became a hit. “It’s the hands-on part, being immersed in the experience,” Ista says. “It’s feeling like you’re actually in an office or an old lady’s room. It’s working as a team. It’s the adrenaline.” The rooms are frequented by more than just video game fanatics looking to live out their favorite fictional mystery. All types of people are intrigued. “I am just amazed at the gamut of people we get coming through the door,” Ista says. “Hard-core gamers who play online and can’t wait to do it in real life, families, coworkers, even old ladies looking for something to do on a night out.”

next-level competitions Braxton “Brax” Paulson was 10 years old when he began playing Dota 2, a team-based, online role-playing game. After gaming casually with friends for a couple of years, higher-tier teams recognized his skills, and he made the move from pastime player to professional gamer. “I like to play Dota,” he says. “So when I was presented with the opportunity to play full-time in China after high school, I took it.” But as a pro, Paulson isn’t gaming in his basement anymore. Fans fill arenas to watch professional

gamers compete in the most popular video games on the market. The 2015 Dota 2 World Championship, for example, sold out of first-round tickets in just 10 minutes. The tournament included the largest prize pool in all of competitive gaming, with more than $18.5 million at stake. Most competitive gaming events are also available via live stream, theater showings, or locally organized viewing parties. ESPN even broadcasted four seasons of Madden Nation, where top Madden players competed for

Throughout the game, employees watch the mystery unfold on camera. The hope is that most groups will come close to escaping, but the owners don’t want it to be too easy. Sure, those who can’t crack the codes aren’t actually trapped forever. If the puzzles really stump participants, they’ll be released after an hour. And in the case of emergencies, there’s a panic button inside that will immediately release players from the game. “Our goal is a 30 percent success rate,” Ista says. “We want to make sure it’s challenging to get out and that you feel pretty special when you do.”

Words By: hoi mun yee

$100,000 in prize money. Pro gamers make a living mainly from prize money, sponsorship deals, and livestreaming. Figures could reach as high as $500,000 per year, according to Business Insider. In his fourth professional year, Paulson still relishes gaming on a large scale. “That’s where the stakes are high, and you can truly see how everyone reacts under pressure,” Paulson says. “It’s satisfying when you can come together as a team.”

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West Coast flavor meets Midwestern charm with indie-rock group Hippo Campus. Often compared to Phoenix or Vampire Weekend, their sound is nothing short of fun. It’s tempting to scream out every joyfully angsty lyric of their althit “Suicide Saturday,” a song that helped build the band’s exposure after they played it on Conan last March. A foursome of teen heartthrobs hailing from the Twin Cities, the boys of Hippo Campus epitomize the “Bro, let’s make a band” stereotype. The difference? They actually had the talent and dedication to become successful. After graduating from a performing arts high school in Saint Paul, Minnesota, the group decided they were done with classes and homework. “Being in a band is like college, but you spend all of your time in a van and sleep in hotel rooms,” frontman Jake Luppen says. “And you make money,” bassist Zach Sutton adds, the inverse of his and Luppen’s experience during their short-lived enrollment at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. Their big break began with a national tour, where they opened for Walk the Moon in early 2015. By summer, Hippo Campus was on their own, headlining smaller clubs and playing a handful of festivals. “Rolling Stone” even named them “Best Newcomers” at Lollapalooza. After seven months on the road, the boys’ tour made it to Des Moines’ Vaudeville Mews. The venue’s 200-plus capacity is packed near to its limit. A small but dedicated fan base tries to drown out Luppen on the mic, screaming along to nearly every lyric of their debut EP, “Bashful Creatures,” which dropped in February. Only one-fourth of Hippo Campus is of legal drinking age, yet they have already established a persona and a dynamic—both as a group and as

individuals. It shines through on stage. Whistler Allen fills the drummer archetype— quiet as a person but indispensible on the kit. Guitarist Nathan Stocker personifies a quiet intelligence, opening his mouth only when he deems necessary. Through his hair, he focuses only on his guitar strings, his eyes rarely leaving the instrument or the mic in front of him. Sutton is the unofficial leader of the ragtag foursome off-stage, known as “the hype man.” On-stage, however, it’s Jake Luppen’s show. “Yo, that was pretty tight, yeah?” Luppen asks the audience after the opening number. He bounces around the stage, his mouth never more than an inch from the mic despite the fact that his feet are rarely in contact with the floor. His unkempt hair slowly deflates with sweat as the night wears on until it’s falling into his eyes— not that he cares. The group has bigger concerns. “It’s all about creating for us,” Sutton says. “We’re coming up on a break over the winter where we’ll be able to chill and write some music, which is what we’re really itching to do.” Despite long nights on the road, the band managed to find some time to squeeze in writing. Their second EP, “South,” was released in October. “It’s all about balance,” Stocker says. “We can’t overwork ourselves, but at the same time, we want to go back out and do stuff.” Whether the boys from Minnesota ever make it to sold-out headlining tours, they won’t be forgotten by the adoring fans in the front row, Snapchatting Luppen’s face just inches from their own. Those pictures may be gone in a matter of seconds, but Hippo Campus’ indie vibes resonate long after leaving Des Moines.

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harmonY in flight It’s a Friday night at Vaudeville Mews in Des Moines and the modern-day American family band is busy unpacking itself. Charlie Muench, standing stage right, is nearly as tall as the stand-up bass he’s just removed from a cumbersome black case he calls “The Coffin.” He’s tuning, twisting knobs and ironically singing Carole King’s “You’ve Got A Friend” to an empty barroom. The other band members, Maya de Vitry and Oliver Craven, are erecting the trio’s sole microphone, “Louise,” at center stage. The mic, like the sounds that will be funneled through it for the next 90 minutes, resembles something likely to be seen in grainy black-and-white film rolls. The Stray Birds, though, aren’t stuck in amber. “My new thing is that I’ve been taking selfies of people taking selfies,” Craven says, grinning. The Stray Birds are an acoustic trio from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, whose music runs the vein of traditional folk, Americana, and bluegrass. 56

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Their self-titled debut album was named one of NPR’s “Top 10 Folk & Americana Albums of 2012.” In the three years since, the band has performed at Nashville’s Americana Festival, twice on NPR’s Mountain Stage, and at dozens of shows across Europe, including a spot at the Cambridge Folk Festival in England. Tonight is their first time in Des Moines, and the three are spending their few free minutes before the show turning back the odometer, trying to remember the name of their kindergarten teacher. They aren’t related, but like the family bands of old, their history is a shared one. Their parents are musical, and the three of them are all classically trained musicians. They’ve been playing music for a long time, and their stories reflect it. Muench tells the tale of how he got his first bass, begging his parents to attend an instrument night at school with him. De Vitry shares a story about

”

Riding the endless road with folk band The Stray Birds.

WORDS BY: AVERY GREGURICH PHOTO COURTESY OF: THE STRAY BIRDS

getting to skip kindergarten after singing the Iris Dement song “Our Town” at show and tell. “It’s a song about burying your ma and pa, wrecking your first car, and going to the bar,” she says. “They were like ‘Alright, you get to move on to first grade.’” Craven recalls an early memory of driving through the back roads of Pennsylvania with his family, harmonizing on “I’ve Been Working On The Railroad” after “some pot-pie circuit gig that my Lutheran minister dad had just led.” These memories explain their pure comfort performing together on stage. They trade stringed instruments like playing cards in a game of hearts, weaving back and forth to step up to “Louise” ceaselessly throughout their 90-minute set at the Mews. “It’s what we’ve spent hours and hours honing out on the road and during all-night

WE ARGUE IN THE KEY OF E.

”

festivals,” de Vitry says. They don’t sing in the car, though, apart from harmonizing with the BBC theme song. “We argue in the key of E,” Craven deadpans. This last year has seen them promoting their debut majorlabel release “Best Medicine,” available last October. All three admit to the strain the road has had on them. They look to December like a far-away beacon, hoping for some much needed “rest medicine,” as de Vitry puts it. Then they head into a studio in upstate New York with famed producer and musician Larry Campbell. It’s the time shared with “Louise” that makes all-night hauls like tonight’s up I-35 worth it. “We get to drive around, listen to NPR, and play our songs at the end of the day,” de Vitry says. For the modern-day American family band, it’s an idyllic image that upholds a storied past: three young, road-weary musicians chasing the muse along white lines in rental vans. And when they argue, even that has a harmony, based somewhere around the key of E.

INSPIRED BY THE

WORDS BY: KATIE BANDURSKI PHOTO COURTESY OF: THE MOWGLIS

On the cusp of a new tour, indie-pop band The Mowgli’s set out to spread messages of love. With a flower-child aesthetic and the music to match, indie-pop group The Mowgli’s have made it their mission to pour happiness into the world.The band got its start back in high school, but they’ve graduated from their early bar-playing days. Their initial hit “San Francisco” peaked at No. 13 on the Billboard Alternative chart and their newest album, “Kids in Love,” made it to No. 22 for alternative albums. Transitioning from a summer of music festivals to a full tour ahead, The Mowgli’s are finding new stages from which to shout their message.

Neither fame nor fortune motivates The Mowgli’s. Instead, the band is driven by a desire to make a difference. When The Mowgli’s were first starting out, vocalist Katie Jayne Earl explains, they were learning that the world is not a perfect place. “You just feel helpless sometimes,” Earl says. “You know you should be doing something, but you don’t really know how. And that feeling can become overwhelming. The Mowgli’s was our answer to that.” Feel-good vibes and lyrics boasting “You’re not alone” and “Love is simple, Love is easy” have become their expected response. “We thought if we play really positive music or make it with a message

that’s universal, then maybe we’ll have a product that people can feel good about and can share despite their differences,” Earl says. “And in doing so, we can have a platform to do some kind of good in the world.” But The Mowgli’s don’t simply create happy music—they aim to make a difference in a concrete way. The band dropped their latest single, “Room For All of Us,” in September. All proceeds go to the International Rescue Committee to aid those who have been displaced by conflicts. “They’re doing a lot to help Syrian refugees right now, and they help people in Africa and Asia flee conflicts caused by war or poverty,” Earl says of the cause.

“We’re really excited to be supporting them with this song.” Though music holds their message, performing is the band’s true medium. Each show is a colorful juxtaposition of lighthearted, carefree fun. Everyone seems to know each other, creating an intimate sense of community united by love. “Our goal is that when you leave the show, you feel better than when you came,” Earl says. “Whatever you went through that week—if your boss was being a jerk or if your teacher was giving you a lot of crap or family stuff, whatever it is—we hope you can dance or sing or shake it off. By the time you leave, you’ll feel a little bit lighter.”

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BEATS AND BREWS MUSIC AND BEER HARMONIZE IN A NEW COLLABORATION. words BY: Sean Calhoun photo BY: COLE NORUM

Daytrotter has a well-deserved reputation for being hip. The music-streaming website based in Rock Island, Illinois, boasts exclusive recording sessions with indie stalwarts like The Lumineers and Bon Iver, while also promoting unorthodox performers. Each recording is paired with caricature-like portraits that are Daytrotter’s true calling cards. The signature designs can now be spotted on a new label, as Daytrotter finds yet another claim to legitimate indie cred– their own craft beer. Daytrotter Pale Ale, a collaboration with Des Moines-based Exile Brewing Company, was released in July and is still sold at the brewery. “The collaboration made a lot of sense,” Daytrotter founder Sean Moeller says. “The guys at Exile were fans, and they asked if anyone had approached us about doing a beer.”

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It was the brains at Exile who first imagined a Daytrotter-inspired brew. The companies worked together to “hash out ideas,” but in the end, it was Exile who brought the beer to fruition. In addition to capturing the eccentric essence of Daytrotter with the new brew, they also wanted to add a specialty beer that could stand on its own, says RJ Tursi, owner of Exile Brewing Company. “We were looking for a seasonal beer,” Tursi says. “A lighter pale ale–nothing over the top.” As for what’s next, Exile is looking into potentially sponsoring future Daytrotter shows and events. “We both want to get the most out of the collaboration,” Tursi says. “We’re really excited to have them as partners.” Music fans and beer drinkers across Iowa are too.

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